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Torbay quits over 'events of recent days'

Independent MP Richard Torbay has resigned from NSW parliament a day after the National Party dumped him as its candidate for the federal seat of New England.

His announcement ends a 14-year political career, with Mr Torbay saying the events of recent days had taken a toll on his family.

It was reported on Tuesday that Mr Torbay was helped into politics in 1999 by former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, who is now at the centre of the largest corruption investigation in NSW history.

Mr Torbay is also one of dozens of political and other figures featured in Mr Obeid's diaries, published last week.

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Speaker of the House Shelley Hancock was faxed Mr Torbay's resignation as MP for Northern Tablelands on Wednesday morning.

"It is demanding and time consuming to do the job properly and given the events of recent days and the toll it has taken on my family I feel the time has come to consider other options," Mr Torbay said in a statement.

"They are my priority and I strongly believe that now is the time for them and they have encouraged me to make this decision."

Mr Torbay, who wasn't answering his phone on Wednesday, is understood to be in Armidale but not at his electorate office.

The 51-year-old father of three was preselected as Nationals candidate for the federal seat of New England to challenge federal independent MP Tony Windsor.

He was asked by The Nationals to pull out of the New England race and resign from the party on Tuesday, leading to speculation about alleged links between the MP and Mr Obeid.

Mr Torbay's resignation, which is effective immediately, will result in a by-election in Northern Tablelands.

"My intention always was to leave the state seat this year but I have brought it forward," Mr Torbay said in his statement.

NSW Nationals state chairman Niall Blair confirmed on Tuesday the party was no longer backing Mr Torbay after receiving information about him of which it was not previously aware.

He said the "matters" in question pre-dated Mr Torbay's membership of the Nationals and the party was seeking legal advice.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said Mr Torbay had been a good local member.